MEAC/SWAC Challenge stage set for Atlanta, ESPN

ATLANTA, GA – The matchup of the 14th MEAC-SWAC Challenge was officially announced on Wednesday as the Prairie View A&M Panthers will take on the North Carolina Central Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 2 at Georgia State Stadium.

Game time is TBA, and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.

The Wednesday press conference was moderated by ESPN's Jay Harris.

“It’s huge for our program because it creates excitement for our players and gives them exposure,” said PVAMU Head Football Coach Eric Dooley said. “More than that, it again gives Prairie View A&M University exposure on a national platform. It’s a great venue for the game, I’m excited for this opportunity, and looking forward to coming back in September.”

Dooley along with PVAMU Vice President / Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson were in attendance along with North Carolina Central head coach Granville Eastman, SWAC Interim Commissioner Edgar Gantt and MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas.

It’s the second appearance for the Panthers in the game, who first played in the Challenge in 2011.

“We’re really excited to be here for the official announcement of the MEAC-SWAC Challenge and to be able to open the HBCU College Football season in Atlanta,” said John Grant, Executive Director of the MEAC-SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl.

“We could not think of a better place to make this happen. Now that we are opening the season with this game and closing it with the Celebration Bowl here in Atlanta, we are truly excited to bring this to the citizens of this city.”

The Panthers will open the 2018 season at Rice on August 25 in Houston.